Negotiate, negotiate. There’s a glut of homes on the market – more than twice the average inventory in some markets. Yet there are fewer prospective buyers with whom to compete, and considerably more room for after-the-purchase value appreciation than a few years ago. Sellers are fixing up their places like never before in hopes one serious buyer will come along. Your chance to pick up a quality home for a big discount may never be better than the present. Keep those counter-offers coming. And let the seller pay all the commissions! Remember, virtually everything in a real estate transaction is negotiable.

Think local. I’ve said it before: All real estate is local. Employ the standard strategy of examining recent sales prices of local comparable, or “comp” houses. But take it a step further. Ask your agent for the original listing prices of comp houses and compare them to the actual sales prices. Many Internet sites also have this information. This data will give you the clearest picture of what sellers were willing to accept for their homes in your neighborhood and can help you determine just how low you can go on your offer.

Don’t bank on further market drops. If you have the means, pounce on that oh-so-sweet deal. This cycle appears to be at or near the bottom. You can’t confidently count on the market sinking any lower, even though it may.

Keep resale potential in mind. Sure, you always seek out properties with that at-home feel. But if you can find homey in or near a growing medical district, growing university or other vibrant employment center, your resale universe down the road will always be larger than the market average.

Look beyond cosmetics. A tired-looking house in a great area may be a much better bargain in the overall scheme of things than a sprightly, higher-priced home in the same area. Yet many of these slightly worn homes, lest they be on the foreclosure auction block are getting roundly ignored. There are some diamonds in the rough out there now!

Consider off-peak sales seasons. Yeah, there’ll still be bargains aplenty come the prime spring and summer selling season and plenty of inventory to peruse. But fall and winter can be the time of especially acute seller discontent. Sellers may be more motivated to take your lowball offer than – especially if it’s the only one they get!

Use your buying leverage. Ask the seller’s agent when the seller bough the home, how much he paid for it, and why he’s selling. In a seller’s market, the seller would likely thumb his nose at you upon such a request. Now, they may give it a thumbs up instead.

Ask for contingencies. When you’ve agreed on a sales price, make your offer contingent on the home appraising at the sum, on passing the buyer’s inspection and on you obtaining financing. Work in as much legal wiggle-room as you can so you’ll be able to back out without risking your earnest money should things go sour or another opportunity arise.